Glossary

Activities of daily living are everyday personal care activities such as bathing (sponge bath, tub bath or shower), getting dressed, getting in or out of bed or a chair (also called transferring), using the toilet, cutting food and eating, and getting around while walking or using a mobility device (also called ambulating). The degree to which one can receive assistance with ADLs as well as the methods for charging for those services vary between senior living communities.

At Pathway’s Supportive Living communities, some assistance with ADLs are available. As an individual’s needs increase, a more appropriate environment such as a nursing home may become necessary.

Acute care is health care that is provided to an individual with a condition that requires immediate treatment. Most acute care is delivered in a physician’s office or in a hospital by a physician.

The net amount of income anticipated to be received by all adult members of the household minus allowable expenses and deductions. This figure is used to determine the share of rent and the offset amount of subsidy for each resident/applicant family. Annual income is used to determine eligibility for assisted housing, while adjusted income is used to determine tenant rent payments.

See Assisted Living.

Written, legal documents that state a competent person’s choices for future medical care decisions. Two most common forms include a “Living Will” and a “Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.” State laws vary regarding upholding advance directives in residential settings.

Hostile actions or feelings; an unprovoked attack.

A state that occurs among people with dementia when someone becomes disturbed, excited or anxious, oftentimes inflicting harm to themselves or others.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a national non-profit organization that was founded in 1980. Its objectives are to support research into the prevention, cure, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease; to organize chapters in a national network of family support groups; to educate lay people and professionals about the disease; and to advise local and federal government agencies on public policy and legislation.

A nonprofit organization whose mission is to help older Americans achieve lives of independence, dignity, and purpose. Founded in 1958, membership is open to anyone age 50 or older, whether working or retired. AARP offers a wide range of membership services, legislative representation at federal and state levels, and educational and community service programs carried out through a national network of volunteers and local chapters.

The ADA is the first comprehensive federal statute to protect the disabled from discrimination, including employment discrimination. Additionally, it imposes obligations in the areas of drug- and alcohol-related disabilities and mental illness. It may also affect limitations or exclusions in employer sponsored group health plans. The ADA’s effect on the design of assisted living housing is yet to be determined.

A troubled state of mind characterized by worry and upset.

A public or private non-profit agency, designated by the state to develop community-based plans for services to address the needs and concerns of all older Americans at the local level. AAAs also administer federal, state, local, and private funds through contracts with local service providers. AAAs were established by the 1973 amendments to the Older Americans Act. AAA is a generic term. Specific names of Area Agencies on Aging may vary. Area Agencies on Aging are primarily responsible for a geographic area that is either a city, a single county, or a multi-county district. AAAs, along with the State Units on Aging and the federal level Administration on Aging, comprise the National Network on Aging.

As opposed to assisted living, and sometimes though synonymous with public housing, assisted housing refers to the stock of privately owned and/or operated housing projects. Most assisted housing for the elderly falls under the following programs: Section 202, Section 221(d)(3), Section 236, Section 231 or Section 232. The term “assisted” refers to the portfolio of HUD facilities having either FHA-mortgage insurance, or a federal mortgage interest subsidy help to keep rents affordable to low- or very-low income persons. These projects may or may not also receive project-based rental assistance.

Established in Washington D.C. in 1990, ALFA is a national membership organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in assisted living facilities for the millions of Americans who have chosen or will choose assisted living facilities as their homes. ALFA offers providers the opportunity to exchange information, promote standards, and increase public awareness of assisted living. ALFA also represents the assisted living industry before legislative and regulatory bodies and develops both educational and policy materials for its members.